In medias res. This phrase means “into the middle of things” in Latin, and it is a common device in narrative literature and film. Yep, I’m on point in my nerd game this week, combining Latin and literary devices in my open. Boom.
When a story begins in medias res, the “action” has already begun. The author or director immediately advances the plot to a significant moment, with the backstory usually filled in later. This can be done with flashbacks or character dialogue, but regardless of the method, the audience is supposed to have questions from the get-go. The Iliad and The Odyssey are classic examples in literature, and Star Wars: A New Hope is a good example in film. And yes, I just stretched my nerd-double into a triple with that Star Wars reference.
When I tell the Ray Anderson story, I usually begin in medias res. I often say something like, “In 1994, Ray read Paul Hawken’s The Ecology of Commerce, which convinced him of the need for his company to become environmentally sustainable.” Ray called that moment his “spear-in-the-chest” epiphany, so it certainly was a pivotal moment. Truthfully though, that is not the beginning of the story.
Earlier in that year, an environmental consultant named John Picard was advising on a project in California on which Interface was bidding. In his meeting with a team from Interface, John wasn’t impressed by Interface’s mere willingness to add recycled content to the order and specify a product that would improve indoor air quality. He wanted more, and he let that team know it by exclaiming, “Interface doesn’t get it!” Ray responded, “Interface doesn’t get what?”
In large part because John primed the pump, Ray “got it” after he read The Ecology of Commerce. From that point forward, both Paul and John became close friends of Ray’s, each helping Interface take many big steps up Mount Sustainability. I was there when John reflected on Ray’s life at a memorial service a few weeks after his passing. John’s affection for my grandfather was real, deep and honest.
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to count John as a friend. He has been an amazing addition to our Foundation’s Advisory Board team, and he was also kind enough to join the Board of Directors of The Ray. I’ve seen his passion and vision on full display, to the benefit of both organizations.
Last week, I was in Los Angeles to celebrate with John as he received the Global Green Individual Environmental Leadership Award. It was certainly well-deserved for a man who has been an environmental leader for nearly three decades. His acceptance speech was, as you might expect, brilliant.
John, I wish you many congratulations, and I thank you for all that you do for the Foundation and The Ray. Keep changing the world, my friend! Yours is a story that is far from finished, and I can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.
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